Mash got his old rythm back, he was consistently hitting 140s and there was zip and swing and his aggression was starting show before there werent any wickets left. Here is a good sign that the aggressive,determined and confident Mashrafe is returning. Too early to predict though. But hope he continues this way and keeps his injury at bay. Also praying to see him bat with a straight bat and not take his front legs out of the way, he has got more potential than he is showing with the bat for the last 6 months.

Once we have our old Mashrafe back and Shahadat and Sajidul beside him we are quite a good pace unit, not 10/10 but sumwhere around 7/8 which is very good. I really hope Mash turns his career from this point to where it should be, world class.

Omio

January 5, 2008, 02:58 PM

Its good to see that he got his form back, now his batting is bit concern, hope he will fix that as well.

Parisa

January 5, 2008, 03:01 PM

there is a god in this world after all!!!!!!!!!!

Nafi

January 5, 2008, 03:22 PM

Yeh I saw on the highlights on sky sports and god damn he was bowling some fine balls, outside off on a good length, that zipped back in.

And ive just realised that mortaza has an over-arm slinging action, similiar to that of my action. I cant believe no one has mentioned this much.

Parisa

January 5, 2008, 03:24 PM

Yeh I saw on the highlights on sky sports and god damn he was bowling some fine balls, outside off on a good length, that zipped back in.

And ive just realised that mortaza has an over-arm slinging action, similiar to that of my action. I cant believe no one has mentioned this much.

totally agree.how could anyone not mention mash's comeback???????

sar2005

January 5, 2008, 03:40 PM

He was damn unlucky to be refused Bell's wicket. That LBW shout was hitting nothing but the middle stamp. Replay showed so clearly that it hit pad first but the umpire thought it was bat first. Did you see how he looked to heaven at that time? It was so heart-breaking!

Yeah, we want our best bowler to fire-up if we want to demonstrate a good show. It is really nice to see him back with a bang. I hope his luck also will be with him for a while as we are approaching to a busy schedule.

Good Luck Mash.

Nafi

January 5, 2008, 03:44 PM

So close to a five-for, his luck still runs short

Navarene

January 5, 2008, 03:54 PM

He deserved a 5-er yesterday, but Parkar had something different in mind. Bell would have been gone at 97. But its a part and parecl of these days bad umpiring. Sigh.

Its been such a long time since we last saw Mashrafe found his perfect rhythm and tune. He was spot on all thru the kiwi innings. Our cricket will be blessed as long as we get back our good old Mash!

tiger_omar

January 5, 2008, 04:04 PM

This is great to see from Mashrafe. The last time he bowled with this much "zip" was probably agianst India in the World Cup. And Mash was a little extra motivated that day because of the comments made by Kumble earlier about touring Bangladesh with such short rest after the World Cup.

I think that the comments made by some of the members of the New Zeland media really fired Mash up and that was evident in his bowling spell specially with the new ball. Great stuff Mash :applause::up:.

Sovik

January 5, 2008, 04:05 PM

he bowled well in odi without getting any rewards. but its nice to see him getting some wickets. that will boost his confidence and we need our strike bowler in good form

BD-BLAST

January 5, 2008, 04:52 PM

I guess Mash is off the boat that Rafique and Pilot is in and back on dry land. But I still think he needs a good hair trim, if necessary I will sponsor one for him to cut his hair with Babul at hairobics

Shobha

January 5, 2008, 04:53 PM

I guess Mash is off the boat that Rafique and Pilot is in and back on dry land. But I still think he needs a good hair trim, if necessary I will sponsor one for him to cut his hair with Babul at hairobics

:lol::lol::lol::lol:
i know even though it sounds silly, i dont see the old mash in him anymore coz of that stupid hair style

Nafi

January 5, 2008, 06:28 PM

I like that hair style I think its pretty awesome

Shartaz

January 5, 2008, 06:46 PM

i hope he's back, but on a second note sajidul islam had a good debut outing, he was swinging the ball both ways at one time, that was good to see

karimjay.

January 5, 2008, 08:14 PM

I like that hair style I think its pretty awesome

Word. He finally looks aggressive.

djnaved

January 5, 2008, 10:02 PM

have to wait for his odi performance..

Rabz

January 6, 2008, 12:22 AM

have to wait for his odi performance..

If you are talkin about NZ odi series...its already over!

Next odi series is against SA at home in feb.

al Furqaan

January 6, 2008, 12:41 AM

this test saw mash with his career best Test match bowling figures 5-88

Sovik

January 6, 2008, 06:48 AM

he boled well in this match and i think he is coming back

Nafi

January 6, 2008, 07:48 AM

this test saw mash with his career best Test match bowling figures 5-88

mashallah

Sohel

January 6, 2008, 08:05 AM

Yes, he IS back with the ball and chose the right time to do it. When our seamers were falling into the familiar pattern of loose 6th ball deliveries, he did something about it and found good accuracy and swing with good results. He looked even more dangerous when NZ was forced to bat a second time.

No comments about his batting. Maybe the India-heroics in Bangladesh was a cruel fluke.

Omio

January 6, 2008, 08:12 AM

His batting become a big joke now a days.

Shaan

January 6, 2008, 08:22 AM

His batting become a big joke now a days.

guys he is a genuine bowler he himself admitted that many times, be pleased with that. Bating is bonus. He can't concentrate on both at the same time. It will take sometime. Look at Irfan, he bats good bowling is gone.

Moshin

January 6, 2008, 08:45 AM

yep he's back picked up... 5 wickets together in both innings, mashrafe is back! (hopefully that is, he might just wander off like that?)

Ahmed_B

January 6, 2008, 08:59 AM

Mash probably paid a quick visit to BC forum before the 1st test started... and was fired up by the thread "Mash down the hill".. that just did the trick! ;)

Nafi

January 6, 2008, 09:02 AM

It would still help that he at the least bats sensibly, I dont ask him to improve, I just ask for him to bat sensibly.

jahidus200

January 6, 2008, 12:27 PM

he never gonna lost his form he always will be in our team

arafath79

January 6, 2008, 02:06 PM

Mash probably paid a quick visit to BC forum before the 1st test started... and was fired up by the thread "Mash down the hill".. that just did the trick! ;)

Do you think Mashrafe visits BC forum ??? If yes, that's great. I know Rajjak visits the forum and there was an online chat arrangement by Rabeed Imam for BC members to ask questions to the cricketers ?

Pundit

January 6, 2008, 03:28 PM

Great thread.

Very heartened to see Mashrafee not lose the fire. With that said, maybe some rest might help - but how, with him delivering quite often?

Either way, I was saddened to see Shahadat not come through in this series. Maybe the 2nd test will be his.

Again, either way, it seems like BD is building up a so so decent line up -

2 decent pacers
2 more than decent seamers (Sajidul, I hope you do in tests what Rassel does in ODIs)
Enamul will do better in the sub-continent
Razzak is way up their. Great going...what was it...Lala.

BD-Shardul

January 6, 2008, 04:22 PM

Mash is back.Why?

Ash opened the innings with Sajidul and Shahadat. This hurt the ego of Mortaza. And he replied with fire.

Now see, just let him bowl as a first change bowler forced him to break his inertia. What would have happened if he was dropped?

Nafi

January 6, 2008, 05:02 PM

Mash is back.Why?

Ash opened the innings with Sajidul and Shahadat. This hurt the ego of Mortaza. And he replied with fire.

Now see, just let him bowl as a first change bowler forced him to break his inertia. What would have happened if he was dropped?

Thought-provoking words...

Eshen

January 6, 2008, 05:46 PM

Ash started first innings bowling with Sajed and Shahadat not because he wanted to hurt Mashrafe's ego, it was because Mashrafe was struggling with a back problem and came to the field late.

BD-Shardul

January 6, 2008, 05:58 PM

Eshen Bhai, same happened during second day play, and also at the beginning NZ's first innings on first day.

Also, Ash purly didn't have any intention to hurt his VC. Ash had no other choice. I would do the same if I were the captain. But like us, Mash is human. Apni jodi team er main strike bolwer hon, ar captain apnar hate innings shuru korar bol na dey, apnar to kharap ektu lagbei? Lagbe na? Bowlers personally see starting the preceeding as an honor.

Sovik

January 6, 2008, 06:36 PM

Mash is back.Why?

Ash opened the innings with Sajidul and Shahadat. This hurt the ego of Mortaza. And he replied with fire.

Now see, just let him bowl as a first change bowler forced him to break his inertia. What would have happened if he was dropped?

if that really happened then we should open our bowling with javed and then every other bowler will start bowling well.

i didn't know anything about the backpain but it was a good option to give sajid new ball as he doesn't bowl over 130k and relies on swing.

scoilaheez

January 6, 2008, 08:14 PM

mash bowled very well and i think our fast bowling stocks are not so bad after all. Shahadat looks a fine bowler, i just wish he would bowl closer to the stumps so he could get more LBWs and such. Also, Sajid looks a promising prospect

kaisermatin

January 6, 2008, 08:17 PM

bowlers are more or less consistent. our problem is in batting.

BanCricFan

January 6, 2008, 10:11 PM

All of Mashrafee's heroics with the ball was totally undone by his stupidty with the bat. He just hit 4 and a 6- was it really neccessary to hit the next ball out of the park with such reckless heave while he had a set batsman (Nafees) at the other end??? He is the Vice-Captain of the side...shouldn't he just drop an anchor and give Nafees company to prolong the innings? Irresponsible!

Tiger Bhai

January 6, 2008, 11:08 PM

we must include Enamul H.jr, all though it was not the right condition for spin of his type... he did well, blocked a few with the bat!

Beamer

January 6, 2008, 11:35 PM

It was a most welcome sight. No doubt. I hope he continues in the same manner. He still needs to ball better to lefties. Not his strong suit.